The relationship between obesity, leptin, adiponectin and the components of metabolic syndrome in urban African women, Free State, South Africa

Objectives: Obesity prevalence is increasing worldwide. In South Africa, older and urbanised African women have significantly higher rates of obesity. Limited information is available on the relationship between anthropometric parameters, adipokines and metabolic health status of African women. This study investigated the relationship between obesity, adipokines and the components of metabolic syndrome in urban African women.Methods: This study included 135 urban African women that were 26–63 years of age, identified with metabolic syndrome in the urban leg of the Assuring Health for All in the Free State (AHA-FS) study. To establish anthropometric status, the following measures were taken: body weight, height and waist circumference. Blood was drawn to determine leptin, adiponectin levels and metabolic status.Results: Adiponectin levels in obese women were significantly decreased compared to normal weight women. Leptin levels and leptin:adiponectin ratios (L:A) were increased in the obese group compared to the overweight and normal weight groups. Leptin and L:A showed strong positive correlations with body mass index and waist circumference. Adiponectin levels decreased as the number of components of metabolic syndrome increased. The L:A ratio was significantly lower in women with elevated triglycerides and significantly higher in women with elevated blood glucose levels. Adiponectin levels were significantly lower in women with elevated blood glucose.Conclusion: This study confirms the inverse relationship between adiponectin and leptin with increased body adiposity. Results indicate that waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels are the metabolic syndrome components most closely associated with altered adiponectin and leptin levels and L:A in urban African women with metabolic syndrome.Keywords: adipokines, adiponectin, components of metabolic syndrome, leptin, L:A ratio, obesit

Report of the multidisciplinary investigation of differentiation and potential hybridisation between two Yellowfish species Labeobarbus Kimberleyensis and L. Aeneus from the Orange-Vaal system

From the executive summary]: The relationships within and between two yellowfish species, Labeobarbus aeneus (smallmouth yellowfish) and L. kimberleyensis (largemouth yellowfish) from the Orange-Vaal system were investigated through three independently conducted studies of the same material collected from the Sak River (the type locality of L. aeneus), the upper Orange River at Aliwal North and the lower Orange River at Pella and Onseepkans

Caregiver Participation Engagement in Child Mental Health Prevention Programs: a Systematic Review

Prevention programs are a key method to reduce the prevalence and impact of mental health disorders in childhood and adolescence. Caregiver participation engagement (CPE), which includes caregiver participation in sessions as well as follow-through with homework plans, is theorized to be an important component in the effectiveness of these programs. This systematic review aims to (1) describe the terms used to operationalize CPE and the measurement of CPE in prevention programs, (2) identify factors associated with CPE, (3) examine associations between CPE and outcomes, and (4) explore the effects of strategies used to enhance CPE. Thirty-nine articles representing 27 unique projects were reviewed. Articles were included if they examined CPE in a program that focused to some extent on preventing child mental health disorders. There was heterogeneity in both the terms used to describe CPE and the measurement of CPE. The majority of projects focused on assessment of caregiver home practice. There were no clear findings regarding determinants of CPE. With regard to the impact of CPE on program outcomes, higher levels of CPE predicted greater improvements in child and caregiver outcomes, as well as caregiver-child relationship quality. Finally, a small number of studies found that motivational and behavioral strategies (e.g., reinforcement, appointment reminders) were successful in promoting CPE. This review highlights the importance of considering CPE when developing, testing, and implementing prevention programs for child mental health disorders. Increased uniformity is needed in the measurement of CPE to facilitate a better understanding of determinants of CPE. In addition, the field would benefit from further evaluating strategies to increase CPE as a method of increasing the potency of prevention programs

The Grizzly, January 28, 1983

Break-in Over Break: Olevian Burglarized • New Faculty Added • Wilder Play at Ritter • Retention Number Assessed • Soviet Policy Analyzed • News Briefs: Lantern Anniversary; ISC Has a Baby • President\u27s Corner • The New Valley Girl • Back at College • New Ski Club Formed at U.C. • Grizzly Football Banquet a Very Rewarding Night • Despite Tough Performances, Aquabears Fall to Lycoming • Early Breaks Diving Record: Lady Swimmers Stroke to 3-1 Record • Grapplers Dump Mules to Up Record to 3-1-1 • Badminton Tops F&M; Set Back by Temple • Lehigh Comeback Sinks Lady Bears • Men\u27s Hoops Tops Haverford • Christmas not a Good Time for Bearshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1091/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 19, 1982

Dorm Intrusion: Attack Prompts Security Changes • Council Approves Precalc • Student Apathy: Who Cares? • Elephants and Donkeys Revived on Campus • President\u27s Corner • Pledging Changes Planned • Commentary: Be a Good Boy, Johnny - Take Back Your Tray • Lewis on Wall Street • Applying for the Job • Robert Hazard: The Grizzly Interview • Final Exam Schedule • Grizzly Paws Boost Football Program • Women\u27s Basketball Set to Have Big Season • X-Country Takes a Disappointing Sixth • Soccer Team Was Tough All Year • Men\u27s Swimming Falls to Dickinson in Openerhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1089/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, December 3, 1982

Graterford Prisoners Counseled • Phi Psi Sponsors Santa • Chem Society Rated Outstanding • Renowned Professor Dies • Steinbright Scholarships Offered • News Briefs: Sigma Pi Sigma Inducts New Members; Operation Native Talent; New Evening School Class; Winterfest II Schedules Events; Going for Baroque • Commuters Don\u27t Get No Respect! • Letters to the Editor • Is Tuition Increase Justified? • Recent Thefts and Attacks Prompt Security Questions • Cheating at Ursinus? • A Last Squeeze Before Departing • The Missionary: A Blessing • Roving Reporter: How Do You Feel About the New Security System in the Quad? • Challenge Yourself at Outward Bound • The Perfect Man • UC Faculty Not Burnt Out • Sports Profile: Mullahy and Bazow, Football Captains • Women\u27s Basketball Tops Aggies in Opener: Jankauskas Scoring and Rebounding Was Key • UC Making a Contribution to Olympic Efforthttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1090/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 11, 1983

Bookstore Explains Pricing Policy • Scottish Scholarships Offered to Sophomores • Weekend Alcohol Policy: Campus is Dry • Ursinus Gets Bucks From Sears Roebuck • President\u27s Corner • Visser Fills Exhibits in Corson • Letters to the Editor: Professor Laments Social Conditions at UC; I.F.C. President Irate; President\u27s Response; Bitter About Policy • Varying Viewpoints • Stravinsky to End Winterfest • U.C. Flu Flattens Students • Reaganomics Forum • Key Shooting Aids Lady Hoopsters\u27 Record • Basketball Laments Second Half Loss • Swimmers Glide to Third Straight Victory • Grapplers Deemed Tough • Basketball: End of an Era?? • Swimmers Stroke for Two Wins • Gymnasts Win by 0.75https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1093/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 4, 1983

Trouble at Cutillo\u27s: Frats Earn Reputation as Animals • Drinking Concerns Richter • Economics Council Sponsors Entrepreneur-Related Forum • President\u27s Corner • Wismer Tries Again • Pfacelift at Pfahler • Bear Blades Burnished Beat Wilmington Twice • Serendipity Celebration Features Films • Writing Center Welcomes Students • Who\u27s Who in Who\u27s Who? • Commentary: Speak Up for Coed Housing • Didja Ever Wonder • Wrestlers Earn Split • Lewis on Wall Street • Disruptive Fans Cause Flare-up at Widener • Top Individual Efforts Mark Gymnastics Team • Interview: Chupein Named to All-League Team • Lady Hoops Still Struggling • Men\u27s Basketball Find Road a Bit Bumpy • Swimmers Maul Terrors of Western Marylandhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1092/thumbnail.jp

Exosomes neutralize synaptic-plasticity-disrupting activity of Aβ assemblies in vivo

Background: Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles of endosomal origin, have been suggested to be involved in both the metabolism and aggregation of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-associated amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Despite their ubiquitous presence and the inclusion of components which can potentially interact with Aβ, the role of exosomes in regulating synaptic dysfunction induced by Aβ has not been explored. Results: We here provide in vivo evidence that exosomes derived from N2a cells or human cerebrospinal fluid can abrogate the synaptic-plasticity-disrupting activity of both synthetic and AD brain-derived Aβ. Mechanistically, this effect involves sequestration of synaptotoxic Aβ assemblies by exosomal surface proteins such as PrPC rather than Aβ proteolysis. Conclusions: These data suggest that exosomes can counteract the inhibitory action of Aβ, which contributes to perpetual capability for synaptic plasticity

The Grizzly, February 25, 1983

USGA Plans Communication Revision • Foley, D\u27Alesio First Place Winners at Talent Show • College Union Holds Tenth Anniversary • Ritter Production Opens: Skin of Our Teeth • Mass is Popular: Newman Society Links U.C. • Small Heads Alcohol Committee • SPC Seeks Editors • Union Calendar • Grizzly Looks For New Business Manager • Winterfest 1983: International Desserts Festival Tonight • Winterfest Schedule • Letters to the Editor: Admissions Dean Corrects Errors; Hoop Club President Responds; Student Reacts Negatively • Social Life at Ursinus Should be Improved • In the Gates • Registrar Announces Pre-Registration • President\u27s Corner • Roving Reporter: Do You Think the New Alcohol Policy Proposed by the Administration was the Correct Way to Handle the Situations That Occurred on Campus? • Bears Drown Monarchs • Women\u27s Swimming Ends 10-1 • MAC Competition: Wrestlers Take Seventh • Gymnasts Move up a Rank • Lady Hoopsters Finish With Victoryhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1095/thumbnail.jp